(This story originally appeared in
on Sep 29, 2016)
Pia Bhattacharya, a squash enthusiast, mentor to budding players and wife of five-time national squash champion,
Ritwik Bhattacharya, sent actor
Ranveer Singh a text message two days ago, requesting him to be a part of a women's final match and felicitation program hosted by the Indian Squash Circuit (ISC).
"We went to school together. I've known him for 14 years. I figured I'd have to go through a certain number to people to get to him but
Bollywood hasn't managed to change Ranveer," Pia gushed to Mirror, adding that World Rank 10, Joshna Chinappa, and World Rank 19, Dipika Pallikal, were ecstatic to hear the news too.
"Our squash players really need the publicity and Bollywood has a great influence on Indians.When a superstar endorses a sport, it changes the entire game. Ranveer is always helping friends, family, and is the kind of man who'd walk out of his car to help someone on the street," Pia beams.
At US $35,000, the ISC tournament boasts of the highest prize money ever for the W35 women's category. Apart from the ceremony, Ranveer will also play a friendly match with the young women. Ranveer, who earlier this week launched friend and 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela' hairstylist
Darshan Yewalekar's new studio, is equally excited about the game.
"In a year when Indian female athletes have done the country proud at both the Olympics as well as the Para Olympics, I believe women squash players have it in them to be at the top. With some of the world's best players leading the way, I'm sure there is a significant and untapped opportunity to generate interest and engagement of potential women players with this sport through such tournaments," the 31-year-old actor told Mirror.
Ranveer shocks with his style statement at an event